Over the past several years our Fire District has been closely monitoring and adapting to the constant changes in the State law relating to outdoor burning. Recent changes in the air pollution laws have resulted in the termination of our ability to issue outdoor burning permits.

As the population in our area changed from rural to urban it has become increasingly difficult for fire departments such as ours to continue issuing permits for outdoor burning and maintain compliance with state law. The Fire District made every attempt to allow burning when the impact to neighbors was minimal, and property owners could comply with the regulations as established by the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

In March of 2000, the (WAC) adopted new guidelines for air quality established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In this adoption there were very specific requirements outlined when burning permits could be issued for land clearing and yard waste debris disposal fires.

What this means is that outdoor burning is not just a fire safety issue, but also an air quality and environmental issue. In the adopted WAC law, the main reason for not allowing outdoor burning is in fact an air quality issue. If a permit is issued to allow outdoor burning, the issuing agency is responsible for air quality and environmental issues as well as fire hazard issues.

The WAC law established a list of mandates that tested whether an agency could issue permits for outdoor burning for land clearing and yard waste debris disposal.

No land clearing / yard waste debris disposal burning is allowed in the "nonattainment" area.This is defined as areas exceeding the ambient air quality standard for the pollutants carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead.

This area has been identified in our fire district as indicated on the map produced by Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and has been enforced since its adoption. Basically, the nonattainment area follows the Snohomish County Urban Growth boundary lines (and any area previously included in an urban growth boundary).

No land clearing / yard waste debris disposal burning is allowed in urban growth areas. Outdoor burning is not allowed in areas defined as urban growth within our fire district. The Snohomish County Growth Management Act defines this area.

No land clearing / yard waste debris disposal burning is allowed in high population density areas. This is described as areas where the population exceeds 1,000 or more per square mile regardless of whether or not the property is in a nonattainment area or urban growth area.

No land clearing / yard waste debris disposal burning is allowed in areas with a reasonable alternative to burning.

Because our entire fire district has curbside recycling provided by Waste Management N.W. for yard debris disposal and because there are local businesses that recycle land clear debris, the law states outdoor burning is prohibited because there is a reasonable alternative. Remember, it is still illegal to burn trash and rubbish.

As a result of these changes to the law, effective immediately, Snohomish County Fire District 7 will no longer issue any permit for outdoor burning. Outdoor burning for land clearing / yard waste debris disposal will no longer be allowed in Fire District 7.

So what can you do as an alternative to burning yard waste debris? For small amounts of debris, we suggest you contact Waste Management Northwest and inquire about their curbside pickup service. You may also consider chipping yard waste. Chippers can be purchased or rented locally. There are also many local companies providing this service. For land clearing debris, we suggest you coordinate debris hauling prior to starting your project.

If you have questions about air quality issues relating to outdoor burning, would like information about the adopted WAC law or have a smoke complaint resulting from outdoor burning, contact the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at 1-800-552-3565 or visit their website at www.pscleanair.org.

In the event of an emergency such as a brush fire or burn injuries resulting from outdoor burning call 911.